The role of Jews in World War II is understated and distorted, says the Chairman of Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, Avner Shalev. He stated this during a discussion at the Kyiv Jewish Forum 2020.
The speaker pointed out that Jews were not only victims, but also active participants in the armed fight against the Nazi Germany and its allies.
According to various sources, at least 1.7 million Jews fought in the armies of the anti-Hitler coalition against Germany.
“In Ukraine, it is very important to keep the truth and tell young people about it. Knowledge of the historical truth helps both individuals and your society as a whole,” Shalev said.
When asked who should play a leading role in informing the population about the history of Jews, the speaker pointed to the need for joint work of researchers, Jewish organizations and the media. But Shalev considers research to be the most important source of information. “On the basis of studies, we must do our pedagogical and educational work,” the expert noted.
As a reminder, on the eve of KJF 2020, the President of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine Boris Lozhkin pointed to an insufficient coverage of the contribution of Jews to the victory over Nazism.